Dortmund want to cap of Champions League qualification against Mainz

Borussia Dortmund vs Mainz will take place at the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in Dortmund. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)

After failing to convert their first match ball to reach the group stage of the Champions League Dortmund now have a second chance against Mainz. The Yellow and Blacks need two more points to be ensured participation in next season’s Champions League and could wrap it up with a victory over Mainz this season.

Victory against Mainz, in fact, would also keep Borussia Dortmund within reach of rivals Schalke, who are playing in Augsburg, and the hope that after two disappointing derbies Dortmund could at least finish in second place ahead of Schalke. Dortmund’s form has been on the up ever since Michy Batshuayi went out with an injury following the defeat against Schalke three weeks ago.

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With a more flexible attacking approach that includes Mario Götze, Marco Reus, Jadon Sancho, Cristian Pulisic and Maximilian Philipp Dortmund are less predictable and at times even reminiscent of the old Dortmund coached by Jürgen Klopp. The re-found form, in the meantime, is bad news for Mainz.

The Karnevalsverein managed three big points against RB Leipzig on matchday 32. But with 33-points remain dangerously close to the drop zone. Mainz, therefore, need to collect at least three more points in order to be safe but have never won in Dortmund and given BVB’s recent resurrection it will be likely that Mainz will go into matchday 34 having everything to play for.

Dortmund vs Mainz – Players to look out for:

Mario Götze #10 – Borussia Dortmund

Mario Götze is among the players under special investigation by the BVB decision makers. The playmaker re-invented himself at the beginning of the season under Peter Bosz playing deeper and trying to immolate Andrés Iniesta. As a result, Götze has eliminated the special moments in his game and then struggled to create dangerous moments when new head coach Peter Stöger moved him further up the field to play a classic number 10 role.

Mario Götze wants to impress Joachim Löw in order to make Germany’s World Cup squad. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Yoshinori Muto #9 – 1.FSV Mainz

With seven goals and four assists in 25 games, Yoshinori Muto is Mainz’s most important attacking player. The 25-year-old forward has, however, struggled at times with injuries this season and the lack of fitness has hurt Mainz in the relegation battle. He is now deemed 100% fit, just in time to help Mainz to stay in the league.

Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and among others works for the Bundesliga and Pro Soccer USA. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which is available HERE. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada. Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth. Or contact him via email: [email protected]